You've read Fever 1793, but did you really understand all that's going on? Mattie's world was much more challenging than we envisioned. We're going to use the Web to delve more deeply into Fever 1793 and get a better handle on life in Philadelphia at that time.
Task
Using the novel Fever 1793 and Internet links your group will research, write, and edit a newspaper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1793. There is a shortage of paper, and your group realizes that the next edition will be the last one for awhile. You have just enough paper to put out a two page edition.
Process
Since you will be writing a 1793 newspaper, as a group check out these 1700s newspapers:
The roles in the newspaper publishing business:
Each member of the group is a reporter and is therefor responsible for at least one article. In addition, Each member of the group needs a job.
Editor - gives final approval of all elements and makes sure that each article is finished and ready for publication
Copy Editor - reads each article and proofreads for spelling, punctuation, content and grammar
Layout - works to fit all of the text and images on the page and is responsible for graphics
(if your group has four) Assistant editor - responsible for helping out any group member who needs it and filling in for any absent members
When you publish your newspaper, you shall include:
Students striving for excellence are encouraged to explore beyond suggested sites and utilize supplementary information in the creation of their newspaper.
You will be required to produce a "Works Cited" paper using EasyBib
Evaluation
Your newspaper will be evaluated using the following rubric:
Evaluation Rubric
Newspaper reflecting historical period of book Fever 1793
Beginning
1
Developing
2
Accomplished
3
Exemplary
4
Score
Research
Group performed minimal or non-existent research.
Group located information using secondary sources.
Group performed research using primary and secondary sources.
Group used primary and secondary resources beyond those suggested.
References cited
No references cited
3-5 references cited, with errors in formatting.
6-8 references cited, with mostly correct formatting.
More than 8 references cited, using correct format.
Spelling and Grammar
Finished product includes 10 or more errors in spelling or grammar.
Finished product includes 7-9 errors in spelling or grammar.
Finished product includes 4-6 errors in spelling or grammar.
Finished product includes 3 or fewer errors in spelling or grammar.
Historical Vocabulary
Group included no historical vocabulary in newspaper.
Group included 1-4 historical vocabulary words in newspaper.
Group included 5-9 historical vocabulary words in newspaper.
Group included more than 10 historical vocabulary works in newspaper.
Graphics
Group included no graphics, or graphics were not historically appropriate.
Group included one historically appropriate graphic.
Group included two historically appropriate graphics.
Group included three or more historically appropriate graphics.
Newspaper layout
Newspaper produced covers two or fewer expected areas in unattractive format.
Newspaper produced covers three or four expected areas in an acceptable format .
Newspaper produced covers five or more expected areas in an acceptable format.
Newspaper produced covers more than five expected areas with a visually enhanced format .
Group cooperation
No cooperation evident in this group.
Group made some efforts to cooperate, but had difficulty.
Group members had few problems with cooperation.
Group members did an excellent job cooperation. All members contributed.
Grades
25-28 points = A
21-24 points = B
17-20 points = C
13-16 points = D
12 points or less = F
Conclusion
If you enjoyed the book as much as many others have, you may be interested in further information on the author, Laurie Halse Anderson, and how she researched fever. You can find out about her life, interests, and other books she's written. Go to the site Laurie's Bookshelf.
Credits & References
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever 1793. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2002.
Original Note from Barbara, Tricia, and Betty:
We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.
Last updated on December 1, 2009. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page
Introduction
You've read Fever 1793, but did you really understand all that's going on? Mattie's world was much more challenging than we envisioned. We're going to use the Web to delve more deeply into Fever 1793 and get a better handle on life in Philadelphia at that time.Task
Process
Since you will be writing a 1793 newspaper, as a group check out these 1700s newspapers:The roles in the newspaper publishing business:
Each member of the group is a reporter and is therefor responsible for at least one article. In addition, Each member of the group needs a job.
When you publish your newspaper, you shall include:
- a minimum of ten historically correct vocabulary words
- three or more historically accurate graphics.
As individual reporters each of you will be using your news writing skills to submit an article on one of the following topics:- An article about historical Philadelphia in the 1790's.
- Suggested sites:
A Background to Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaWikipedia article on Philadelphia History
- An article about the disease of yellow fever including symptoms and treatment.
- Suggested sites:
Yellow FeverThe Diseased City
A Short History of Yellow Fever in the US
The 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia
- An article about the Free African Society.
- Suggested site:
Africans in AmericaUnbound - Profiles in Black History
The Free African Society - Wikipedia
- An article about two important doctors in Philadelphia in 1793: Dr. Benjamin Rush and Dr. Jean Deveze.
- Suggested sites:
Dr. Jean DevezeAfricans in America
Benjamin Rush - Wikipedia
Other interesting primary sources
Dr. Benjamin Rush's book about yellow fever
Dr. Jean Deveze's book about the 1793 outbreak
Advice of the college of physicians 1793
A narrative of the proceedings of the black people, during the late awful calamity in Philadelphia, in the year 1793
Don't Forget to Read This!
Evaluation
Your newspaper will be evaluated using the following rubric:Evaluation Rubric
Newspaper reflecting historical period of book Fever 17931
2
3
4
Grades
25-28 points = A
21-24 points = B
17-20 points = C
13-16 points = D
12 points or less = F
Conclusion
If you enjoyed the book as much as many others have, you may be interested in further information on the author, Laurie Halse Anderson, and how she researched fever. You can find out about her life, interests, and other books she's written. Go to the site Laurie's Bookshelf.Credits & References
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever 1793. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2002.Original Note from Barbara, Tricia, and Betty:
We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.
Last updated on December 1, 2009. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page